Mount Union legend steps down

ZACJACKSON

FS Ohio

The coach with the best winning percentage in college football history is stepping down.

University of Mount Union announced Wednesday morning that Larry Kehres will remain as the Alliance, Ohio, school's athletic director but is handing the coaching reins to his son, Vince.

In 27 seasons, Kehres posted an astounding record of 332-24-3 and won 11 NCAA Division III national championships, the last of which came last season. Mount Union has advanced at least to the semifinals in the Division III playoffs every year since 1995.

Mount Union last lost a regular-season game in 2005. The program's winning streaks of 55 and 54 stand as the longest in college football history, too.

"The best part of the job was developing relationships with players and continuing those relationships following their graduations," Kehres said in a statement released by the school. "Coaching the Purple
Raiders has been a tremendous experience for my family. We have shared many great experiences with our players, fellow coaches, trainers and their families. We plan to continue to enjoy working with Mount Union coaches and athletes."

In the past five years wide receivers
Pierre Garcon and
Cecil Shorts became the first Mount Union players to be selected in the NFL Draft. This year, four Mount Union players signed undrafted free-agent contracts with NFL teams and another has a tryout this weekend. Construction on press-box expansion at Mount Union Stadium is underway and has been funded, in part, by Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers, who was Larry Kehres's roommate when both played at Mount Union. University of Toledo head coach
Matt Campbell also played and coached under Kehres.

Vince Kehres is a 1998 Mount Union graduate. He played on two national championship teams and has been on the coaching staff for eight others.

"I promise this program will continue to uphold the values and ideals that have made Mount Union what it is in the world of college football," Vince Kehres said.